By Denise Attaway
What began as an unusual problem for a South Carolina grower has quickly escalated into a coordinated, multistate scientific effort to combat a newly arrived agricultural threat.
In Summer 2025, Glenn Quattlebaum noticed something unusual in his hibiscus plants: Leaves were curling, discoloring and declining rapidly. Within days, the cause became clear. A tiny invasive insect, the two-spot leafhopper, was attacking his plants.
“I had never seen them before,” Quattlebaum said. “The damage appeared quickly. It was a clear reminder of how fast an invasive species can establish itself before anyone realizes what’s happening.”
Small pest with big consequences
Though only a few millimeters long, the pale green two-spot cotton leafhopper poses a significant threat to agriculture. Native to Asia, the insect feeds on plant sap, causing a condition known as hopperburn, which leads to yellowing, curling leaves and eventual plant decline.
Since its detection in the southeastern U.S., the pest has raised alarms across multiple industries, including cotton and vegetables such as eggplant and okra, as well as ornamental plants such as hibiscus. Growers face reduced crop quality, shipment rejections and potential yield losses.
Source : clemson.edu